"I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the Swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all." Ah, so, as we have come to know well . . .

John and I had been up since 4:30 am, driving through rain most of the way from our home in Rossie, NY (roughly south across the St. Lawrence from Brockville) to our arrival at Craig Lake about 5 pm. We had been told at the permit office that all the sites on Craig had been taken, so when we saw the campsite on the island at the east end of the lake was occupied (about 2k away), we weren't sure if it was Marcus and crew or, if it was, whether we might find room there or not. So, when we came to the campsite on the island at the west end, we decided to set up camp there and then paddle around the lake with the daylight we had left and hopefully have some time to meet up with the AAers wherever they were.

We had pulled our canoe up on some roots along the sloping rock near shore and proceeded to set up our tent and grab a quick bite to eat. John was just putting some gear away so we could leave when I heard a scraping sound like someone pulling up in a canoe. I turned toward the shore and there was our empty canoe, like a leaf in the wind, blowing away toward the mainland more than 100m away.

I still had my wet suit on, but not my life jacket, and for the briefest moment, I thought about going in after it, but the canoe was moving way to fast for me to give it a second thought. I shouted to John, who looked up, and laughing said, simply, "we're screwed." What else could we do, the joke was clearly on us for being so careless. On an island, roughly 10 degree water, and no boat.

We tried blowing whistles to attract attention from the camp across the way, but the wind and distance were not in our favor. With the sun sinking behind dark grey clouds at the end of a cold, damp day, we suspected folks would be huddled around a fire and likely not paying much attention to the lake at that point. John has a couple of bear bangers and three smoke flares, but we didn't want to overly alarm anyone either. It wasn't exactly a life-threatening situation, at least not yet, just an acutely embarassing one. The next step was to wave a large yellow stuff sack we had on hand, which John did with gusto on and off for several minutes, while we discussed our options and strategy.

Fortunately, Marcus had seen us when we first came out onto the lake and had been following our movements. We soon saw activity on shore and canoes headed out, a spanking new Langford leading the way. Thanks to Marcus and Jeff P. (of the Langford race) and Dave and Jeffrey for coming to our rescue. Not only did they encourge us to join them, they pitched in to help break our camp and trundle our gear across the lake (perhaps lubricated a tetch by the CC we gladly offered with our gratitude).

For much of the time we have spent in Algonquin, John and I have been largely motivated by the desire to get away from the workaday crush of people and escape to the solitude of the remotest places we could find in the Park. Little did we know after all these years, that the Park has still another treasure to offer, one that we have only discovered through the Algonquin Adventures Forum, and that is the company of so many others who share our love for this place. Thank you Barry for helping to bring us together.

We thoroughly enjoyed meeting Marcus and Joan (who makes a wonderful Mandarin Chicken ala Wild Child), Map Master Jeffrey and Jeff P., Dave and Amy (and their great neoprene MEC boots), Stainless, J-Wolf and SmedleyCo (and the extraordinary communal tarp confabulation which surely, in its interlocking genius, counts as only one shelter), and to Pathfinder for showing us the way.

We wish we had more time to get to know you better. You all have so much knowledge and experience, stories to share that we can learn from, the places you have been, the equipment you have tried, the tricks of the trade you have learned and adapted in new and clever ways. We are grateful that our paths crossed last weekend (in many more ways than one and look forward to when we may meet up again.

As it turned out, we bailed on our original plan to stay until Thursday, and left in the sunshine on Wednesday before the forecast rain and wind that was due Wednesday night. We did try some fishing and the trout fairly leaped into our boat before I could even pick up my rod. I grabbed the first one that landed at my feet and asked him why he had jumped in of his own accord and not waited for me to catch him. With a fishy grimmace, he explained that choosing to jump into my boat was far better than the painful abuse they took getting hooked and dragged in against their will. I told him that was not fair, we had come for the sport of it and the thrill of outwitting them with our skillful technique and our clever lures. We did not want them simply jumping into our boat, and with that I proceeded to throw all the misguided fish back into the lake. Well, clearly, the trout took deep offence at my ingratitude, because after that we never saw another trout in three days of fishing. It was mac and cheese, bread and water, and a painful lesson learned. Next spring I will try to travel with someone who has more trout fishing experience than I do, who can maybe teach me a thing or two about how it is done.

I'm headed out shortly for a weekend with children and grandchildren, but will post some photos when I get back.

Your canoe simply didn't want the Scarlett brothers to spend a night alone, when friends were so close by. Smart canoe.

It was great to meet you and your brother Mark, and hope to do so again!

The CC was a nice bonus, but the real pleasure was the chatting and laughing that we shared that night!

Jeff P
http://algonquincanoeing.blogspot.com/

It was nice meeting you guys! Hope to do it again in the not to distant future

Joan

"Fortunately, Marcus had seen us when we first came out onto the lake and had been following our movements."

We have a little old lady on our street that does the same thing. Watches our movements from her house... hahahahaha....



Good to hear things worked out for everyone in the end. Out of chaos comes order. Out of mishaps come friendships.




Sean (of Ajax)

Ok, now THAT was funny!

How was "your lake?"

Jeff P
http://algonquincanoeing.blogspot.com/

Finally caught up with some photos from our trip to Craig Lake. Sorry Jeff P., but I didn't have the presence of mind to take any photos of our Swift being rescued by your Langford. Surely, that was a priceless moment, hopefully never to be repeated .

The island campsite with the ingenious community tarp.


John makes coffee with Barbara's filters while Jeff P., Marcus, Stainless, and Jeffrey M. warm-up by the fire.


The map master and Jeff P.


Dave, SmedleyCo, and J-Wolf under the tarp


Amy and Dave say their good-byes


Joan passes gear to Marcus for the trip home.


Marcus and Joan heading out with a few inches of freeboard to spare.


The moon sets . . .


And the sun rises . . .


To start a glorious new morning


And a great day for a hike in the woods


Among some towering hemlocks


And sweet violets




A reminder that we are not alone in these woods . . .


We follow Bo-peep Creek


Pass a broken down logging dam




to a huge beaver meadow


And as we head back to camp


John starts to get a little "erratic" along the way


The obligatory trillium shot, with a little leafhopper for variety


A reward for nearly four miles of bushwacking-some good eats, cheese, crackers, venison stick and jerky


Then, one last cast


Before the end of a perfect day on Craig Lake


Mark S.

http://www.ABRweb.ca .. Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalists - Caring for Algonquin's Backcountry

The pic with the caption "To start a glorious new morning" took my breath away for a second! For an instant, I was tricked into believing I was there. It's those morning views especially that bring me back to AP whenever I can manage. They're all great pics, but that one really hit me and made me say, "Wow!" Thanks, Mark; hope I run into you guys sometime!

Great photos guys!
Also it was fantastic meeting you two, and am glad to hear that the weather brightened up for ya all.
Seems odd that no one from three different parties(Pathfinder now), didn't get fish on Craig. I did note your creek chub remark though.
Joan thinks the lake is fished out. I'm starting to believe that now too.
Anyhoo, looking forward to crossing paths again in the future.




Mark Rubino
Mark's Algonquin Park Sampler - Blog
Mark's Algonquin Park Sampler

http://www.ABRweb.ca .. Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalists - Caring for Algonquin's Backcountry

Great pics... really wish I had been able to make that weekend.

Having started my fishing career back in the early 70's at the ripe old age of 6, I find it funny how a lot of people assume a lake is 'fished out' just because no one catches any fish. I don't think the lake is fished out, I think that maybe the carpenters are blaming their tools... hahahahaha... Yes, Markus, this is my polite way of saying as a fisherman, you suck... hahaha giggle snicker...



Sean (of Ajax)

np from me on that claim Sean. I agree, I'm a terrible fisherman. However, the Scarlett's, myself, J-Wolf, Stainless and Pathfinder didn't get anything, not even a nibble(except the Scarlett's creek chubb). Either the fish were turned 'off', or it really is fished out...or heaven forbid, were are all terrible fishermen!

Beautiful photos, as always, Mark. Love those panoramics.

But, I believe that one photo should be more accurately titled "3 Sweet Violets", so as to avoid any confusion. LOL

Quite the trip report.




Barbara

I thoroughly enjoyed your post about the rescue of your canoe and the subsequent gathering of AArs. Loved your opening line from Ec.9.11 and the parable of fish jumping into the boat. I am not overly religious but I love thought provoking posts such as yours.

Totally enjoyable, gorgeous pictures and might I say, 'a fine lookin bunch of folk'! Really enjoyed this post.

Michael